Eddie Murphy agrees to host 84th Academy Awards

AP Photo/Peter KramerIn this April 21, 2010 file photo, actor Eddie Murphy attends the premiere of "Shrek Forever After" during the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival in New York. Murphy will host this year's Academy Awards show on Sunday, February 26, 2012.

The 50-year-old actor, who has starred in numerous films such as "Beverly Hills Cop," "Shrek" and "The Nutty Professor," has officially signed on to host the 84th annual Academy Awards, which will air on ABC live from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on February 26, 2012.

Though Murphy has never hosted before, Hollywood Reporter notes he has appeared as a presenter on several occasions, most recently in 2009 when he presented the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award to Jerry Lewis. Murphy was also previously nominated for Best Supporting Actor in 2006 for his role in "Dreamgirls."

"I am enormously honored to join the great list of past Academy Award hosts from Hope and Carson to Crystal, Martin and Goldberg, among others," Murphy said. "I'm looking forward to... creating a show that is enjoyable for both the fans at home and for the audience at the Kodak Theatre as we all come together to celebrate and recognize the great film contributions and collaborations from the past year."

Billy Crystal was previously rumored to be in the running for hosting the Oscars. It would have been Crystal's ninth time hosting since 1990 and his first since 2004.

"Rush Hour" director Brett Ratner and Don Mischer, who are producing the annual awards show, presented their choice on Tuesday to officials at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, who signed off on Murphy hosting.

"Eddie is a comedic genius, one of the greatest and most influential live performers ever," Ratner said. "With his love of movies, history of crafting unforgettable characters and his iconic performances – especially on stage – I know he will bring excitement, spontaneity and tremendous heart to the show Don and I want to produce in February."

Ratner most recently directed "Tower Heist," starring Murphy along with Ben Stiller and Matthew Broderick, as victims of a Ponzi scheme who conspire to rob a wealthy business man. The movie opens in theaters November 4.

According to the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, Murphy's career began at the age of 15 as a stand-up comedian. At 19, he was then the youngest cast member of "Saturday Night Live" in 1980. He made his feature film debut in 1982 with "48 Hrs." and won a Grammy for his 1983 album "Eddie Murphy: Comedian." He's since starred in a number of blockbuster hits, including "Coming to America" and "Norbit." Altogether, movies in which he has performed have earned more than $7 billion worldwide at the box office.